Democrats hold up lottery payouts after Illinois Gov. compromises

After Illinois' Republican Governor Bruce Rauner froze the funds that pay out Illinois Lottery earnings last month, the governor made a compromise this week to get the funds flowing again. Now, however, the governor's office says it's the Democrats who are holding up the payouts.

House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-25th) filed a motion to reconsider on House Bill 4305 after the House passed it yesterday with a 115-1 vote. The bill would free up tax money that has already been collected to disburse it to municipalities, emergency dispatch centers and lottery winners, among others.

The hold that Rep. Currie placed on the bill will not allow it to proceed to the Illinois Senate.

In October, the Illinois Lottery announced that anyone who wins more than $600 will not be able to get their money until there's a state budget. The bill would reverse this announcement, regardless of whether there is a budget.

Rauner's decision to allow the lottery funds to flow again is part of what Rauner spokesperson Catherine Kelly calls a series of compromises on the governor's part. On Monday, Rauner relented on previous cuts he made to the state's Child Care Assistance Program in light of Democratic pressure. On the eve of the House vote on the bill, the governor added an amendment that raised the income requirement from 50 percent to 162 percent of the federal poverty level. Previously, the income requirement was 185 percent of the federal poverty level.

It is unclear exactly what Rep. Currie hopes the hold will accomplish, but some House Democrats are wary of the governor's compromises, which kept them from potentially passing legislation that would deny the governor authority to make similar cuts in the future.

The Illinois lottery payout freeze has been ongoing since July. A class-action lawsuit was filed in September by lottery winners trying to claim their prizes, and this week the litigants moved to broaden the lawsuit to encompass other states that participate in big multi-state lottery games.

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IL needs to vote out every sitting member. and vote for anyone who has staff form their offices, is funded by lobbyists staffed by them or even metored by them. throw the lot out and show em all DONT MESS WITH OUR <snip>ED LOTTO WINNINGS

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After Illinois' Republican Governor Bruce Rauner froze the funds that pay out Illinois Lottery earnings last month, the governor made a compromise this week to get the funds flowing again. Now, however, the governor's office says it's the Democrats who are holding up the payouts.

House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-25th) filed a motion to reconsider on House Bill 4305 after the House passed it yesterday with a 115-1 vote. The bill would free up tax money that has already been collected to disburse it to municipalities, emergency dispatch centers and lottery winners, among others.

The hold that Rep. Currie placed on the bill will not allow it to proceed to the Illinois Senate.

In October, the Illinois Lottery announced that anyone who wins more than $600 will not be able to get their money until there's a state budget. The bill would reverse this announcement, regardless of whether there is a budget.

Rauner's decision to allow the lottery funds to flow again is part of what Rauner spokesperson Catherine Kelly calls a series of compromises on the governor's part. On Monday, Rauner relented on previous cuts he made to the state's Child Care Assistance Program in light of Democratic pressure. On the eve of the House vote on the bill, the governor added an amendment that raised the income requirement from 50 percent to 162 percent of the federal poverty level. Previously, the income requirement was 185 percent of the federal poverty level.

It is unclear exactly what Rep. Currie hopes the hold will accomplish, but some House Democrats are wary of the governor's compromises, which kept them from potentially passing legislation that would deny the governor authority to make similar cuts in the future.

The Illinois lottery payout freeze has been ongoing since July. A class-action lawsuit was filed in September by lottery winners trying to claim their prizes, and this week the litigants moved to broaden the lawsuit to encompass other states that participate in big multi-state lottery games.

Rep. Currie was not immediately available for comment.

House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-25th) filed a motion to reconsider on House Bill 4305 after the House passed it yesterday with a 115-1 vote.

The article mentions freeing up tax dollars to pay lottery winners. I find this rather bizarre as I had understood that proceeds from lottery sales were used to pay winning tickets and that tax money was never used to subsidize winners. Is it perhaps that Illinois has completely raided the lottery funds and are now having to resort to funds collected from the tax payers of their state for a bailout?

The voters from Illinois have to share the blame here. They obviously voted on getting a State lottery that " married" it to the State Budget. Big mistake- out here in California, the voters made absolutely sure that in no uncertain terms will the Lottery be held hostage to whatever crap was brewing in the State legislature. Voter's ought to know what they voting for from the onset. There is plenty of blame to go around here. If California's Governor pulled that ... l guarantee you that there would be a State wide Recall in motion within hours.This State has recalled a Governor before- no biggie doing it again.

People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it- George Bernard Shaw.

The article mentions freeing up tax dollars to pay lottery winners. I find this rather bizarre as I had understood that proceeds from lottery sales were used to pay winning tickets and that tax money was never used to subsidize winners. Is it perhaps that Illinois has completely raided the lottery funds and are now having to resort to funds collected from the tax payers of their state for a bailout?

It is IL. my state dare I say anything is possible here. But it's a State lottery so yes that should be under State government. Now as for Barbra, I'd check for a banana in my cars tail pipe or maybe have a police dog give it a walk around. On the other hand she may be the only one reading the bill.

Barbra, think the last three governors have gone to prison, you really need to stop being a pain in the butt.

It is typical Illinois Democratic Chicago style BS. It is the most screwed up political state in this country. The rest of the states should ban together, and kick all Illinois politicians out of our government. Let them govern themselves.